Singapore government to tighten energy monitoring and reporting for large industrial users

THE Singapore government is planning to tighten energy monitoring and reporting requirements for large industrial players as it looks into areas where carbon emissions can be further reduced, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

"We will be consulting these companies on ways to verify and check the data they have submitted, similar to what is practised in other advanced economies," he said at the prize award ceremony of the National Climate Change Competition 2016 on Friday morning. "These will help our companies better monitor their energy efficiency performance.

With more accurate data, companies can incorporate energy and fuel efficiency considerations early in their decision-making processes, he added. "This will help lower the use of electricity and fuels, and provide companies with cost savings."

Last December, Singapore pledged to reduce emissions intensity - measured by emissions per GDP (gross domestic product) dollar - by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, and to stabilise emissions with the goal of peaking then. The industry sector accounted for 59 per cent of Singapore's greenhouse gas emissions in 2012; with the petroleum refining, chemicals and semiconductor sectors making up the bulk of these emissions.

Under the Climate Action Plan unveiled in July this year, the country has set out a target to achieve improvements in energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector by 1-2 per cent a year from 2020 to 2030.